Front driveshaft issues

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johndavis

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Apr 4, 2017
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Ram Year
1998
Engine
5.2L
So my front driveshaft was really wobbly so I think I have bad U joints on it. I pulled the front driveshaft out, and am workin on getting the U joints out..

But my question is that I noticed that the front driveshaft wont spin even when I'm not in 4 wheel drive, and I'm in Neutral. Where it connects to the transfer case it spins freely, but where it connects to the front diff. it only moves an inch each way. Is this normal or is there something wrong with this? The front driveshaft does spin when I am driving.

Also any suggestions on getting stubborn U joints out?
 

bananahamikthe1st

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Apr 1, 2017
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Ram Year
2001
Engine
5.9 v8
I'm not familiar with 1500s but a 2500 and up would have vacuum actuated 4x4 meaning that your passenger side axle is two piece and likely stuck in engaged. As for the joints a press is the easiest way ..balljoint presses work too..if you have a large enough vice you can use a large socket that can fit over one cap and a smaller one on the other side to press it out ...or use the two sockets and a hammer and pound it out just make sure the clips are off before you try anything

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk
 

dudeman2009

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Arizona
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2001 1500 Sport with enough electrical modifications to make my brain hurt
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Magnum 360
Yeah, all of them had that kind of crappy vacuum actuated 4x4 on the front diff. More than likely thats what stuck.
 

DodgeTx

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SEGUIN
Ram Year
2001
Engine
5.9L Cummins, 5.2l v8
for the vacuum engagement system remove the four 10mm bolts and see if it is off to the left, when you remove that cover the whole Y connector will come out too. It is also possible that it is broken inside of there causing it to be engaged all the time.

A few people even weld them to be always engaged. My flatbed came with it broken, and wouldn't engage got one off a 1500, and it works as it should now.
 

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